During election campaigns and at the heady beginning of every legislative session, lawmakers are bold in promising to produce on issues of concern to Connecticut residents. This year was no different. In fact, many lawmakers--especially legislative leaders--vowed to take action on some really big and complex issues such as healthcare coverage, rising electric rates, rising gas prices and taxes.

Now with less than a week left before the constitutionally-mandated adjournment of the legislative session, lawmakers find themselves in real trouble. Inexorably the hands on the General Assembly clock are moving toward adjournment with most big issues still in flux. Confusion, partisan bickering and political gameplaying have ruled the scene.

While it's possible some progress may be made by the time you read this piece on the web, don't bet the ranch.

During the week of May 25th, Democrats vowed to send Republican Gov. Jodi Rell a "powerful message" by adopting their own tax package that they said included a new "progressive" income tax formula that would give a tax break to 95% of the taxpaying public, while hiking the tax rate for the rich. But in the first go-round in the House and Senate, neither chamber could produce a veto-proof majority for the bill and both chambers struggled to agree on the same version. On May 31st, the Senate gave final approval to the House version and sent it to Gov. Rell though it was veto bait.

Republican lawmakers criticized what the governor called the "ping pong game" with the tax bill. GOP leaders said the Democrats rushed to raise taxes without even offering a budget proposal. Sen. William Nickerson (R-Greenwich) also asked why anyone should see a tax hike when the state surplus is growing so fast "we have money gushing out of the vault."

Democratic Senate leader Donald Williams of Brooklyn said his party's tax proposal was a valuable contribution to the overall fiscal debate. He claimed negotiations continue with the Rell administration to achieve a budget and tax compromise before adjournment.

On the energy issue, the debate hasn't been a Democratic-Republican tilt. Instead it's been a protracted face-off between the Democratic co-chairs of the Energy Committee, Sen. John Fonfara of Hartford and Rep. Stephen Fontana of North Haven. They are at odds over how to reform the state's electric regulation system and help consumers with their electric bills. Capitol observers are scratching their heads why top leaders have allowed the dust-up between the chairs to go on for so long.

Leaders in both parties want to resolve some of this year's key issues before time runs out so the 2007 General Assembly can show a record of achievement. However, it should be noted that leaders often use the clock as an excuse for killing off controversial bills or avoiding measures that would engender endless debate.
If the budget is not settled by midnight June 6th or if there is some measure both parties want that could not be worked out on time, the governor or the legislature itself can call a special session. That gambit has been popular in recent years. So much for deadlines.
 

Posted 6/01/07

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